THE ANALYSIS OF MORAL AMBIGUITY SEEN IN LONG JOHN SILVER S CHARACTERIZATION IN ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON S TREASURE ISLAND

Transcription

1 THE ANALYSIS OF MORAL AMBIGUITY SEEN IN LONG JOHN SILVER S CHARACTERIZATION IN ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON S TREASURE ISLAND AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degee of Sarjana Sastra in English Letters By RONNY SANTOSO Student Number: ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAMME DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS FACULTY OF LETTERS SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY YOGYAKARTA 2011

2 THE ANALYSIS OF MORAL AMBIGUITY SEEN IN LONG JOHN SILVER S CHARACTERIZATION IN ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON S TREASURE ISLAND AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degee of Sarjana Sastra in English Letters By RONNY SANTOSO Student Number: ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAMME DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS FACULTY OF LETTERS SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY YOGYAKARTA 2011 i

3 ii

4 iii

5 . IF YOU LISTEN TO YOUR FEARS, YOU WILL DIE NEVER KNOWING WHAT A GREAT PERSON YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN. Robert H. Schuller iv

6 For My Beloved Family v

7 LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH UNTUK KEPENTINGAN AKADEMIK Yang bertanda tangan di bawah ini, saya mahasiswa Universitas Sanata Dharma: Nama : RONNY SANTOSO Nomor Mahasiswa : Demi pengembangan ilmu pengetahuan, saya memberikan kepada Perpustakaan Universitas Sanata Dharma karya ilmiah saya yang berjudul: THE ANALYSIS OF MORAL AMBIGUITY SEEN IN LONG JOHN SILVER S CHARACTERIZATION IN ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON S TREASURE ISLAND Beserta perangkat yang diperlukan (bila ada). Dengan demikian, saya memberikan kepada Perpustakaan Universitas Sanata Dharma hak untuk menyimpan, mengalihkan dalam bentuk media lain, mengelolanya dalam bentuk pangkalan data, mendistribusikannya di Internet atau media lain untuk kepentingan akademis tanpa perlu meminta ijin ataupun memberikan royalti kepada saya selama tetap mencantumkan nama saya sebagai penulis. Demikian pernyataan ini saya buat dengan sebenarnya. Dibuat di Yogyakarta Pada tanggal: 22 Februari 2011 Yang menyatakan RONNY SANTOSO vi

8 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Praise to the Lord in Heaven whom with His blessings the writer can finish this thesis. The writer thanks Him for always being on his side through the fortunes and disaster times. First of all, the gratitude goes to his advisor, Elisa Dwi Wardani, S.S., M.Hum., who has spent her times and been patient in reading, re-reading and correcting this thesis. To Drs. Hirmawan Wijanarka, M. Hum., his co-advisor, the writer thanks him for giving the suggestion on this thesis. In addition, the writer thanks all the lecturers in the English Letters Department who have shared their knowledge, for the Secretariat Staff for their best services. The writer would thank his parents and his brothers for supporting and praying for him. The writer would like to say thanks to Tikos, Galeh, Adit, Tony, Wawan, Gadol, Silas, Jonet, Kipli, Arek, Ikball and all my friends in English Letters The writer thanks them for always being with him. Last, the writer would like to thank everyone whose names can not be mentioned here who have helped the writer during his study in Sanata Dharma University and given also their contribution to this thesis. Ronny Santoso vii

9 TABLE OF CONTENTS TITLE PAGE...i APPROVAL PAGE ii ACCEPTANCE PAGE..iii MOTTO PAGE..iv DEDICATION PAGE...v LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PUBLIKASI.vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS..vii TABLE OF CONTENTS.viii ABSTRACT...x ABSTRAK.xi CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION 1 A. Background of the Study..1 B. Problem Formulation 4 C. Objectives of the Study 4 D. Definition of terms...5 CHAPTER II: THEORETICAL REVIEW...6 A. Review of Related Studies...6 B. Review of Related Theories.9 1. Review of Theories on Character 9 a. Theory of Character According to Harvey..9 b. Theory of Character According to Abrams Review of Theories on Characterization...10 a. Theory of Characterization According to Laurence Perrine.11 b. Theory of Characterization According to Murphy Review of Theory on Moral Review of Theory on Ambiguity Review of Theory on Moral Ambiguity 14 C. Theoretical Framework..15 CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY..17 A. Object of the Study.17 B. Approach of the Study 18 C. Method of the Study...19 CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS...21 A. The Characteristics of Long John Silver 21 B. Long John Silver s Characteristic Revealed to be Ambiguous Through his Characterization..37 CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION.48 viii

10 BIBLIOGRAPHY...51 APPENDIX APPENDIX APPENDIX ix

11 ABSTRACT RONNY SANTOSO. The Analysis of Moral Ambiguity Seen in Long John Silver s Characterization in Robert Louis Stevenson s Treasure Island. Yogyakarta: Department of English Letters, Faculty of Letters, Sanata Dharma University. Novel is one of many genres in literary work. Treasure Island is a novel that is written by Robert Louis Stevenson. Treasure Island is an adventure novel that narrates a tale of pirates and buried gold. This novel was published in In this study, the writer wants to analyze the moral ambiguity of the character named Long John Silver. This study has two objectives. First, the writer wants to find out the Long John Silver s characteristics in the novel. Second, the writer wants to reveal the moral ambiguity seen in Long John Silver s characterization. The method that is applied in this study is library research. The primary source is the novel itself entitled Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. The secondary sources are from criticism, article and other related to the novel. In answering the problems, the writer applies some theories; those are theory of character, characterization, moral, ambiguity and moral ambiguity. The study applies moral-philosophical approach. In the analysis the writer finds that Long John Silver has several characteristics, which are dangerous, manipulative, treacherous, cruel and kind. Besides, the writer finds that Long John Silver deals with moral ambiguity. Long John Silver s moral ambiguity can be seen through his action he does to the other characters in the novel. It is shown when he manipulates Jim Hawkins and his own men. At the time he manipulates Jim Hawkins, he does it to deceive Jim Hawkins. This action is as an act of evil. But when long John Silver uses his same skill as what he does to Jim Hawkins to save Jim Hawkins s life from the threat of Long John Silver own men, it becomes a virtue. This is how Long John Silver s moral ambiguity is revealed through his characterization. x

12 ABSTRAK RONNY SANTOSO. The Analysis of Moral Ambiguity Seen in Long John Silver s Characterization in Robert Louis Stevenson s Treasure Island. Yogyakarta: Jurusan Sastra Inggris, Fakultas Sastra, Universitas Sanata Dharma. Novel merupakan salah satu jenis dari karya sastra. Treasure Island adalah sebuah novel karya Rober Louis Stevenson. Treasure Island adalah sebuah novel petualangan yang menceritakan sebuah kisah bajak laut and harta karun. Novel ini pertama kali di publikasikan pada tahun Dalam studi ini, penulis ingin menganalisa tentang keambiguitasan moral pada tokoh yang bernama Long John Silver. Studi ini membahas dua permasalahan. Pertama, penulis ini memaparkan sifat-sifat Long John Silver dalam novel ini. Kedua, penulis ingin mengungkapkan keambiguitasan moral Long John Silver di tinjau dari penokohannya. Metode yang di pakai dalam studi ini adalah studi pustaka. Sumber utama dalam studi ini adalah novel itu sendiri yang berjudul Treasure Island karya Robert Louis Stevenson, dan data data pendukungnya dari kritik-kritik, artikelartikel, dan sumber-sumber lain yang berkaitan dengan novel tersebut. Dalam menjawab masalah-masalah yang di ajukan, penulis menggunakan beberapa teori, yaitu teori karakter, penokohan, moral, keambiguitasan dan keambiguitasan moral. Studi ini menggunakan pendekatan moral-filosofis. Dalam analisa penulis menemukan bahwa Long John Silver memiliki beberapa sifat, yaitu berbahaya, memanipulasi, pengkhianat, kejam dan baik. Selain itu, penulis juga menemukan bahwa Long John Silver memiliki keambiguitasan moral. Keambiguitasan moral Long John Silver dapat dilihat melalui tindakannya kepada tokoh-tokoh lain. Ini di tunjukkan ketika Long John Silver memanipulasi Jim Hawkins dan anak buahnya sendiri. Pada saat Long John Silver memanipulasi Jim Hawkins, dia melakukannya untuk menipu Jim Hawkins. Tindakan ini adalah sebagai tindakan jahat. Tapi ketika Long John Silver menggunakan keahlian yang sama seperti yang dia lakukan kepada Jim Hawkins untuk menyelamatkan Jim Hawkins dari ancaman anak buah Long John Silver, ini menjadi sebuah tindakan kebaikan. Inilah bagaimana keambiguitasan moral Long John Silver di tunjukan dari penokohanya. xi

13 CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION A. Background of the Study Life is a series of moral choices, and each and every one of us is at it all time. There is no area of deliberate human behavior that lacks a moral dimension. The value questions are everywhere, in politics, in business, in bringing up children, and in the realm of what one owes to one s self; all of them deal with it. Each of us has, in effect, his own little method for moral evaluation. So, what is moral? In Filsafat Moral, Poespoprodjo points out that morality is the quality of human behavior, which based on it we can take a conclusion whether an action is right or wrong, good or bad (1986: 102). Morality is also including the understanding of good and bad of human action. Take from Poespoprodjo s statement, it can be said that moral is a principle of right or wrong based on human behavior. Moral values are more basic than all other values, because moral values touch, not just on what we do or experience or have, but on what we are. In the book Morals and Ethics, Carl Wellman states that according to this view, what makes an act morally good or evil is its utility or disutility, the amount of non moral value or disvalue it brings into existence (1975:136). So it is possible to say that what makes an act morally good or evil, having of moral approval and disapproval, is the value or disvalue of its consequence. Magnis states in his book, Etika Dasar, that to conclude whether a good action will create a good 1

14 2 characteristic, it is not enough if we just see it based on the external action, however we also consider what the motive behind this all, because a good act that objectively good can be done by purpose. Not all motivation is bad, however it is clear if a good act done with a motivation to take an advantage is morally bad. The real act of moral is called morality. Morality happen when in taking a good act, we realize of what becomes our obligation and responsibility, not because of taking an advantage (1987: 56). Since moral is based on the human action, so it must be deal with the behavior of human being. Every human being has different behavior. Referring from the book Positive Social Behavior and Morality by Ervin Staub, that human behavior can be influenced by many factors, such as culture or situation, emotions, values, persuasion, personality characteristic and many more (1978:70). Ervin Staub also states that positive social behavior is as a behavior that benefits other people. However, not all human being is deal with this kind of action. Moreover, usually people perform prohibited acts to satisfy a need or impulse (1978:2). It is not impossible that both kind of action, positive and negative behavior, will lies as one in someone personality and influence someone behavior. This is what happens to Long John Silver character in Robert Louis Stevenson s Treasure Island. As the character of Long John Silver is as the subject of the study, so to give clearer about the discussion it will be much better the writer gives a brief description about the object of the study, Robert Louis Stevenson s Treasure Island. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson is a classic adventure-story which is created based on his fascination with a watercolor map he himself draws

15 3 of an imagined treasure island. It narrates a tale of pirates and buried gold. Although the story center on Jim Hawkins s adventure and transition in his life, however the writer finds something interesting that the author wants to convey through the other characters. Long John Silver, one of many characters in the novel, is depicted as both good and bad character, and his role in this novel demands both kinds of actions. As what Nigel Fabb and Alan Durant point out in How to Write Essays, Dissertations and Thesis in Literary Studies that: Once you have chosen your text (or had them chosen for you), you need to decide how to focus on them. No matter familiar with the literary works you become, you can not focus equally on all parts of a text (particularly a long text, such as novel). So you need to decide which parts of it are most worth reading closely and writing about (1995: 32). Therefore, the writer decides to look at how the way of the characteristic of Long John Silver commits to this thing. In this case, Robert Louis Stevenson wants to tell to the readers that the characteristic of character can change as long as the story goes, by denying the role of the character in the novel. Before we go too far, the writer wants to give the definition of the novel, as one of literary works, which as the object of this study. Quoting from Schoonderwoerd s An Approach to English Literature, A novel is a work of art in so far as it introduces us into a living world; in some aspects resembling the world we live in. but with an individuality of his own (1957:174). Novel, as a form of literary genre, can draw an issue that exists in this living world. It can serve many more, in details, and involve complex problems. After giving a brief description about the novel, the writer wants to focus on the subject of the study.

16 4 In this thesis, the writer will limit the study to specifically focus on the way Robert Louis Stevenson manage Long John Silver, as a character in Treasure Island, which shows moral ambiguity through his characterization. Why Treasure Island is chosen because it does not only tell about an adventure story, however there are many of education aspects or moral values that can be gained by the readers concerning its character. Since it gives an education to the readers, it will be worth to be studied. Moreover, the way of the author to manipulate the reader s feelings toward the Long John Silver characteristic is profitable to be analyzed. B. Problem Formulation Based on the background above, the writer formulates two problems in this study to lead the discussion of the topic. The problems are as follow: 1. What are the characteristics of Long John Silver? 2. How is Long John Silver s moral revealed to be ambiguous seen in his characterization? C. Objectives of the Study In this part, the writer wants to tell about the objective of the study. The objective of the study aimed to obtain satisfying answer from the question formulated above. According to the problem formulation above, there are two problems formulation that will be solved. First, this study is aimed to find out of what are the characteristic of Long John Silver. Second, this study is aimed to

17 5 analyze of how the Long John Silver s moral ambiguity through his characterization is revealed in the story. D. Definition of Terms To avoid misunderstanding on the study of the analysis of Long John Silver s moral ambiguity through his characterization, it necessary to give a clarification of the term used in the discussion. The clarification essentially is needed in order to give clear understanding on the study. 1. Characterization In Reading and writing about Literature, Rohrberger and Woods state that characterization is a process by which an author creates the characters in a literary work so that the readers may understand deeper on characters (1972: 20). 2. Moral Ambiguity Urban Dictionary stated that moral ambiguity is lack of clarity in ethical decision-making. That is, when an issue, situation or question has moral dimensions or implications, but the decidedly moral action is unclear, either due to conflicting principles, ethical systems or situational perspectives (Urban Dictionary the Company, 1999) April 5 th, 2010.

18 CHAPTER II THEORETICAL REVIEW A. Review of Related Studies Robert Louis Stevenson was born in Edinburgh in He died 44 years later on a small Samoan island in the Pacific. During his short life he traveled the world and made him self one of the most famous writers on 19 th century. Robert Louis Stevenson is a Scot writer which has produced a large variety of writing during his life. He is remembered as the writer of one great horror story, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Although it is very popular for many readers, there are still others of the stories that remain as his supreme achievement. One of them is Treasure Island. It is an adventure story which was published in 1883, and also as his first novel which never having been out of print since it was first published (National Library of Scotland, 1925). The novel of Treasure Island comes as one of his famous novels during the summer of 1881 when Robert Louis Stevenson and his family spend his holidays in a cottage in the Scottish Highlands. His step son, Lloyd Osbourne turned his room into a picture gallery with his own juvenile sketches; occasionally, his stepfather contributed a picture. Once Stevenson made a map of an island, brightly, colored and marked with harbors, swamp, headlands, hills, rivers. It fascinated Stevenson, and his storytelling mind soon took the map as an inspiration. He made a list of chapters, began writing a narrative of treasure hunting, and read the installment day by day to the family, including his father, 6

19 7 who enjoyed it as much as Lloyd. Stevenson was persuaded to send the story, which he called The Sea Cook, to a magazine. It was accepted, but with the subtitle Treasure Island added. It appeared as a book in 1883 and became the most popular of all books for boys and for many of their elders. In Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson said that Treasure Island is a novel that is influenced by several stories. Stevenson was very frank to admit that he had been influenced by several stories in the writing of Treasure Island. He had a remarkable ability to imitate other writers. Stevenson states that his chief source for Treasure Island is a story by Washington Irving s The Money Diggers. But he owes much to Edgar Allan Poe s The Gold-Bug, with its famous cryptogram. He also mentions James Fenimore Cooper s The Sea Lions, Captain Frederick Marryat s Masterman Ready, and Charles Johnson s Lives of Pirates. The phrase the dead man s chest came from a book by Charles Kingsley, but the rest of the ballad sung throughout Treasure Island was entirely Stevenson s own (1957:15). The novel of Treasure Island tells to the readers about interesting and exciting adventure. The readers are invited by the author to enjoy the traveling in searching the treasure. Treasure Island is a simple novel. The readers will not be served with hard thinking to understand the novel. It is action, action and action from the first sentence to the last. Yet every one who plays his part in the action is as deeply characterized as if he the center of an introspective novel. In designing the idea of the story, it is to be the story for boys so that it does not need of psychology or fine writing, as Leslie said:

20 8 Treasure Island is a pure novel of adventure. It satisfies what he somewhere described as the criterion of a good romance. The writer and his readers throw themselves into the events, enjoy the thrilling of excitement, and do not bother themselves with questions of psychology ( WWW. Leslie Stephen. Com / Treasure Island Opinions. html.). The story of Treasure Island has a lot of moral messages or moral values to be learnt from the characters. Treasure Island is very interesting and exciting story. Stevenson hopes that the readers will get some inspiration by reading this novel. As Dawson states in his critic on his website: Treasure Island is the one story which I can admire without the least qualification or reserve. The aim may not be the highest, but it is attained with the most thorough success. It may be described as a message in the sense that it appeals to the boyish element. Stevenson has described the fit of inspiration in which he wrote it ( WWW chf web. Com/ Dawson/ rlstevenson.html.). Silver, one of many characters in Treasure Island, is character that is depicted as a character which has two characteristic. He is bad and good, cruel and generous, despicable and admirable. As Leslie Stephen said: Treasure Island indeed contains Silver, who, to my mind, is his most successful hero. But Silver incarnates the spirit in which the book is have to be read; the state of mind in which we accept genial good humor as a complete apology for cool-blooded murder ( Based on those statements above, it is clear that the novel of Treasure Island is an adventure novel which inside of it lays moral values from its character that can be gained by the readers. It supports the writer s idea to find the value through Long John Silver s characterization as the topic of the study. It can be said that the position of the study is to find and analyze the value, moral

21 9 ambiguity, based on the Long John Silver s characterization in Robert Louis Stevenson s Treasure Island. B. Review of Related Theories In this chapter, the writer wants to explain about some theories that are used in analyzing problem formulation above. In analyzing the problem formulation, the writer uses some theories such as theory of character, theory of characterization, theory of moral, theory of ambiguity and theory of moral ambiguity. To know about what the definitions of the theories above are, here is the explaination of the theories: 1. Theory of Character Character is the most important element for the author in creating the literary work because the work will have no strength without any character involved in the story. In Fiction: An introduction to Reading and Writing by Edgar V. Robert and Henry E. Jacobs; Stories, like drama, are about characters. Characters, though not real people, are drawn from life. A character is a reasonable facsimile of human being, with all the good and bad traits of being human (1987: 63). Here are another theories of character used in analyzing the problem formulation. In Character and the Novel, Harvey states that when, in real life, we try to describe a person s character we consider it as something unique and separable from all other identities (1968: 31). Further, Harvey wants to say that the author is free to create and present his or her fictional characters in the novel. Such as his

22 10 appearance and what problems he or she might face. It is different from the real life, which needs unique description of characters. Here, Harvey mentions that we can not separate and describe all character as unique ones like in the real life and discuss them as independent entities, the novel itself consist of simple description of character that we get from real life (1968:31). As stated in Abrams s A Glossary of Literary Terms 4 th edition: Characters are the persons presented in dramatic or narrative work, who are interpreted by the readers as being endowed with moral, dispositional and emotional qualities that are expressed in what they say- the dialogand by what they do- the action. The grounds in character s temperament, desires and moral nature for their speech and action are called their motivation. A character may undergo a radical change, either through the gradual process of motivation and development or as the result crisis (1981: 20). According to Abrams, physical appearance, emotion and moral qualities describe character in dramatic or narrative work. The emotion, person s mind quality and moral qualities of characters are shown in the way they speak, act and think. Because of the motivation and development, the characters may have self- change gradually. 2. Theory of Characterization We know that generally literature focus on the character of the story. Between one character to another character usually have different characteristics, and for sure that they sometimes also have similarities. By seeing the differences and similarities between them in the novel, we will catch the message of what the author is going to talk about. The key in which the author describes is called as characterization. Through characterization, help us to us to understand how the

23 11 characteristic of the character in the novel. Here are some theories used by the writer in the study. In a literary work, there are some ways to present characters. In his book Literature: Structure, Sound and Sense, Perrine states that characters can be presented in direct and indirect presentation. In direct presentation, character is described in straight way. The description about the characters about what they are like, their physic condition, and behavior or attitude is already told in expository part of the work by the author or other character in the work. This method makes the reader easer in identifying the character in their action and dialogues. It is because direct presentation can be regarded as its being economical and clear presentation. In the real application, this method may be collaborated with indirect presentation. It is because by collaborating those two methods will establish a more convicting story because in indirect presentation the characters present their characteristic through what they thing, say or do. If the direct method is applied without the support of the indirect method, the description of the character is moreover like an explanation, not a characterization. A good story will be success if the author dramatizes the character in his work (1969: 68-69). Perrine also states that characters should be understandable or convincing to the readers. It should consist of three principles. The first principle is consistence of the behavior. Characters may change in someway. The changing of their behavior must be accompanied by clear reasons because characters must be

24 12 consistence in their behavior. Thus, the readers will observe and understand why the characters are changed in his attitude. In the book Understanding Unseen: an Introductory to English Poetry and the English Novel for Overseas Student, Murphy states that characters can be recognized in several ways. First, one s characteristics can be observed through their personal description. It means that the author describes the details of the characteristic of the characters directly to the character. Second, the author describes certain character s characteristic through the eye and opinion of another character. What the readers get is a reflected image of the characters. Third, one can observe one s characteristics through his speech. The author describes the person through what another person say. Whenever the person speaks, involved in conversation or conveys an opinion, he is describing the character or giving keywords to his characteristics. Fourth is character s past life. Through the shape of person s thoughts, conversation or giving comment, the author helps the readers to build the person s characteristic by learning about the person s past life. Fifth is through other person s conversation. The author gives the readers clue about a person s characteristics through the other person s conversation. Sixth, the readers can also understand a person s characteristic by learning the person s reactions to various situations and events.

25 13 Seventh, the author can also describe a person s characteristics by direct comment. It means that the author directly give explanation toward one s characteristics briefly and clearly. Eighth, the author gives the readers direct knowledge of what a person is thinking about. Here, the author is able to do what people can not do in the real life. He can tell the readers what different people are thinking of. The readers then are in a privileged position; they have a secret listening device plugged in to the inmost thought of a character in a novel. Last, the author can give description to the character from the mannerism or habit. It may tell something about his one s characteristics (1972: ). Above, Murphy states that there is several ways for the readers in understanding the characteristic of the character in the story. 3. Theory of Moral In Etika Dasar by Magnis is stated that the word of moral concerns about good and bad of human as a human. Moral norm is a measuring rod to determine good and bad of human behavior, seen based on good and bad of human as a human, not as a doer of certain role (1987: 19). Magnis also states that to be able to take a conclusion whether a good action will create a good characteristic, it is not enough if we just see it based on the external action, however we also consider what the motive that lies behind this all. Because a good act that objectively good can be done by purpose. Not all motivation is bad, however it is clear if a good act that is done with a motivation to take an advantage is morally bad. And the real act of moral is called morality. Morality is happen when in taking a good act, we

26 14 realize of what become our obligation and responsibility, not because of taking an advantage (1987: 56) 4. Theory of Ambiguity William Empson in Seven Types of Ambiguity says that at the last type of ambiguity, it is the most ambiguous that can be conceived. It occurs when the two meaning of the word, the two value of the ambiguity, are the two opposite meanings defined by the context, so that the total effect is to show a fundamental division in the writer s mind (1947: 217). 5. Theory of Moral Ambiguity In the book of Existentialist Philosophy by James Agould and Willish H. Truitt at Simone de Beauvoir s article about The Ethics Ambiguity, states that human life in itself is neither good nor evil, it is the place of good and evil, according to what you make it (1973: 41). Seeing on that statement, it is said that life is a place for good and bad. Good and bad that happen are created by human being. Human being is a unique creature with his own characteristics, which for instance that there is no human being that live in this world are same. Because the product of life whether it is good or bad are created by human being so it is possible for human being to do something good or bad, or even they do both, according to what they make it. As long as there have been men and they have lived, they have all felt this tragic ambiguity of their condition (1973: 41). So, moral ambiguity as seen from this point of view can be perceived as a lack of clarity or an ambiguity in dealing with ethical decision because that human

27 15 being is not inherently good or bad, but, instead, human being has the potential for both good and bad. As Liz Lewis said related to moral ambiguity in Toni Morrison s Beloved and Jazz that in exploring the moral ambiguity of monstrous potential of love, Morrison shows how an act of violence can paradoxically be, as it was for Sethe, the right thing to do, but she had no right t do it the only thing to do but it was the wrong thing to do. Sometimes good looks like evil and evil looks like good. ( Morrison's Beloved and Jazz_ Moral ambiguity the monstrous potential of love.com/html.) So, seeing from the above statement about moral ambiguity, it can be concluded that in general moral ambiguity is lack of clarity in ethical decisionmaking. That is, when an issue, situation or question has moral dimensions or implications, but the decidedly moral action is unclear, either due to conflicting principles or ethical system. C. Theoretical Framework The main purpose of this study is to analyze how the Long John Silver s moral is revealed to be ambiguous through his characterization. To help the writer to answer the problems formulation above, the writer takes some theories. The theories of character and characterization are important. These theories are necessary since the subject that is discussed in this study is character of the novel. The combination of both of them will support the writer to find out

28 16 the description of the character, Long John Silver, characteristics as the subject character of this study. The theory of moral is used to determine whether the action that is taken is good or bad. By applying this theory, the writer is able to take a conclusion and a judgment if the action is good or bad. The theory of ambiguity is used to give a clear explanation about ambiguity. The theory states that it is possible for a word has two meaning which the two opposite meaning defined by the context. So, it is appropriate to the second problem formulation which analyze about an ambiguity. The last theory that is used is theory of moral ambiguity. Since the study talk about the moral ambiguity, so the theory is profitable to be applied to this analysis. In answering the problem formulation above, all the theories that are state before can not be ignored. Each of the theory has its own significant. Then, all the theories that are applied in this study are very helpful to the writer in answering the problem formulation.

29 CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY A. Object of the Study In this study, the writer analyses a novel entitle Treasure Island. The book was published in 1883 for the first time. Treasure Island is included in 19 th century English fiction. There are several version of Treasure Island novel. The edition that the writer uses for the study was published by Pocket Book Inc and copied in This novel was printed in United State of America. This novel was composed of 240 pages and built of six chapters. Treasure Island was a novel which is wrote by Scottish writer, his name is Robert Lewis (later: Louis ) Balfour Stevenson. The study will focus in analyzing the moral ambiguity of the character through its characterization. And here is the summery of the novel: An old scarred seaman arrived at the Admiral Benbow Inn. Billy Bones, as the man was known, filled Jim s ears with the story that he should warn him to be on the lookout for a one-legged seaman. Some months later, Bones was visited by mysterious seaman, named Black Dog. They were fighting then Bones got stroke and died. Jim escaped with the treasure map given by Bones. Jim took the map to Dr. livesey then travel to Bristol to meet up with the ship, the Hispanoila. In Bristol, Jim met the sea cook, Long John Silver, who was recommended to be one of many ship s crews to Trelawney. One night on the deck, Jim overheard Silver plotting a mutiny. The next day, Jim sneaked away with the plan to cut loose the Hispanoila and strand the pirates. After a dangerous trip, Jim was 17

30 18 succeeding in freeing the ship then he jumped out and trying to ashore. After anchoring the ship, Jim returned to the stockade and was captured by Silver s man in the middle way. Silver told to Jim that Dr. Livesey and the other have to give the stockade to the pirates and the treasure map. The pirates set out to look for the treasure, but only found an empty hole. When the pirates turned on from Silver and Jim, Dr. Levesey and the other ambushed the pirates and drove them off. They rejoined again with the other which the treasure had already there. They back to England and then Silver escaped with a bag of the treasure. B. Approach of the Study According to Guerin in his book A Handbook of Critical Approaches to Literature 4 th edition, there are five approaches. Those are the historicalbiographical, the moral-philosophical, the formalistic, the psychological and the mythological approach (1999: ). To conduct the study, the writer applies the moral-philosophical approach to analyze the moral ambiguity revealed in the character in the novel. Wilbur S. Scot explains about the moral- philosophical approach in his Five Approaches to Literary Criticism that: Starts from a conviction that the important of literature is not merely in its way. For the critic who follows this approach, the chief interest lies in literature as a criticism of life, to them the study of technique of literature is a study of means, whereas they concerned with the end of literature as affecting man, with literature as it takes place in the human forum of ideas and attitude (1962: )

31 19 Thus, the moral-philosophical approach is an appropriate approach because the writer would like to discover the moral issues, moral ambiguity on the character in the novel. C. Method of the Study The method of the study used to finish the thesis. The writer applied a library research, which demanded primary and secondary data. The primary data were taken from Robert Louis Stevenson s Treasure Island. The secondary data were taken from many books, articles and internet which consisting about related theories, related studies and criticism. To finish the thesis, the writer took some steps. First, the writer read the main source, Treasure Island, several times so that the writer understood of what actually the author wanted to say through this novel. Second, the writer tried to figure out what is the most interesting thing in the novel and took it as a topic of the study. After it had been achieved, the writer formulated two problems. First problem formulation is about the characteristic of the character. Second problem formulation is about moral ambiguity of the character through its characterization. To answer the first problem formulation, the writer read and quoted from the primary book, Treasure Island that related to the characteristic of the character (Long John Silver) from the beginning to the end of the story and analyzed it one by one. To answer the second problem formulation, the writer also read and quoted from the primary book, Treasure Island that gave the evidence to the process which made the moral of the subject was revealed to be ambiguous

32 20 through the characterization, and then analyzed it. After the first and second problem had been done, the writer went to the next step, writing conclusion. In making a conclusion, the writer concluded all of the analysis, starting from what the characteristic of the character is and how the character s moral revealed to be ambiguous.

33 CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS In this chapter, the writer is trying to analyze the problems formulations that are discussed in the previous chapter. First, the writer wants to analyze about the characteristic of Long John Silver as the subject of the topic. Second, the writer wants to analyze about how Long John Silver s moral ambiguity is revealed through his characterization. 1. The Characteristics of Long John Silver In this part will discuss the characteristic of Long John Silver. He is the character who is presented against the truly evil figure buccaneer, as Jim Hawkins describes him; he is intelligent and smiling, a very different creature, according to me, from this clean and pleasant-tempered landlord (p 53-54), very different from what he expects a buccaneer to be. He is landlord of the Spyglass public house and a ship s cook of the Hispaniola. He is the most interesting character in the novel. He is a genuine individual. He is dangerous and cruel as the common buccaneer image; however he is also smart and kind. He is physically described as a seaman who his left leg is cut off close by the hip, and under the left shoulder he carry a crutch, which he manage with wonderful dexterity, hopping about upon it like a bird. He is very tall and strong, with a face as big as a ham- plain and pale and seems in the most cheerful spirits, whistling as he moves about among the tables, with a merry word or a slap on the shoulder for the more favored of his guest. Long John Silver is portrayed as round character. He is presented as a bad 21

34 22 character in early of the novel and lets his better side reveal itself late in the novel. According to Murphy in Understanding Unseen, a person s characteristic can be traced through personal description, as seen by another, speech, author s direct comment, past life, conversation of other, thoughts, reactions and mannerism. In this analysis, the characteristic of Long John Silver may deal with some possibilities above. The characteristic of Long John Silver will be presented in the following: a. Dangerous Although the character of Long John Silver appears in the second chapter in this novel, it is very clear that Long John Silver is a character which is very dangerous. It can be seen from another character s opinion about him in beginning of the story. Billy Bones, he is the first mate of captain Flint and he is the only buccaneer that knows where the treasure lies as captain Flint tells him when lay dying before dead. I was the first mate, I was, old Flint s first mate, and I m the on y one as knows the place. He gave it me at Savannah, when he lay a-dying, like as if I was to now (p 19). Knowing himself to be a marked man for his possession of the map, as soon as the other Flint s crews desire to recover the treasure, he looks for refuge to safe himself. His travels take him to the rural village of Black Hill Cove and bring him to the Jim Hawkins s father inn, Admiral Benbow Inn to hide for a moment to safe himself. As he stays there, he always takes actions to beware of the one-legged man, Long John Silver and always ask to the owner if there is a seaman comes around. Everyday, when he came back from his stroll, he would ask if any seafaring men had gone by along the road. At first we thought it was the

35 23 want of company of his own kind that made him ask this question; but at last we began to see he was desirous to avoid them (p 4-5). It is because of the figure of Long John Silver that makes Billy Bones has to be so careful and wary. He always keeps watching for every seaman who comes to the Inn just to make sure if there is a seaman with one-legged or not. Everyday after he has his time to walk around. He always asks the Inn s owner if there is a one-legged seaman who comes to the inn. He has to keep watching for every seaman who comes to Admiral Benbow. Besides, he also places himself as safe as he can by hiding his profile as silent as he can. When a seaman put up at the Admiral Benbow (as now and then some did, making by the coast road from Bristol), he would look in at him through the curtained door before he entered the parlor; and he was always sure to be as silent as a mouse when any such was present (p 5). Although he has already acted carefully, he does not want to take a risk of every bad possibility to his life, so to make sure that he is really safe from the figure of Long John Silver, he is willing to spend some of his silver penny to Jim Hawkins to keep an eye to a seafaring man with one leg and let him know the moment he appears. He had taken me aside one day, and promised me a silver four penny on the first of every month if I would only keep my weather-eye open for a seafaring man with one leg, and let him know the moment he appeared. Often enough, when the first of the month came round and I applied to him for my wage, he would only blow through his nose at me, and stare me down; but before the week was out he was sure to think better of it, bring me my four penny piece, and repeat his former orders to look out for the seafaring man with one leg (p 5). As what Billy Bones has done, it is very clear that Billy Bones is very afraid of the coming of Long John Silver, a one leg seafaring man that wants to

36 24 get the captain Flint s chest. He has to ask Jim Hawkins, the son of the Admiral Benbow Inn s owner, to keep watching for one legged seaman and he gets some of money as a replace. Long John Silver is dangerous buccaneer. Although he does not appear in the early part of the novel, we can see it from the other character s opinion which considers him to be dangerous and it can be seen on what Billy Bones has experienced when he stays at the Admiral Benbow Inn. He always asks if there is a seaman comes to the inn, he has to keep an eye of every seaman who put up at the inn and takes someone to help him keep watching of the seafaring man with one leg. b. Manipulative Long John Silver is able to manipulate the others. As a buccaneer who is portrayed as a man who has bad behavior, but he is far from that impression. I had seen the captain, and Black Dog, and the blind man Pew, and I thought I knew what a buccaneer was like-a very different creature, according to me, from this clean and pleasant-tempered landlord (p 54). He is attractive, the way he talks, the way he answers the question, speaks respectfully to the others give an impression that he is forthrightness. His forthrightness is able to manipulate and convincing to Dr. Livesey and Jim Hawkins at first encounter that he is a good man, but behind this all lay a conspiratorial evil, his true motive, to arrange the voyage and to do mutiny. Long John Silver s politeness is seen when he meets Jim Hawkins for the first time in the Spyglass public house. I plucked up courage at once, crossed the threshold, and walked right up to the man where he stood, propped on crutch, talking to a customer.

37 25 Mr. Silver, sir? I asked, holding out the note. Yes, my lad, said he; such is my name, to be sure. And who may you be? And then as he saw the squire s letter, he seemed to me to give something almost like a start. Oh! said he, quite loud, and offering his hand. I see. You are our new cabin-boy; pleased I am to see you. And he took my hand in his large firm grasp (p 54). The above quotation can be seen that Long John Silver is very polite and respect others. They way he answers the question and takes an action toward Jim Hawkins mark him that he is different from the image of pirate figure such as Black Dog and Pew. However he does it just to attract the attention so that it will be easier for him to take any further actions to hide his true motive. At the same time when Jim Hawkins has a conversation with Long John Silver, suddenly he is alarmed with the figure of seaman, one of the costumers, which remind him of the previous incident. He is Black Dog, a seaman who has fought and almost killed by Billy Bones in the Admiral Benbow. And then one of the costumers at the far side arose suddenly and made for the door. It was close by him, and he was out in the street in a moment. But his hurry had attracted my notice, and I recognized him at a glance. It was the tallow-faced man, wanting two fingers, who had come first to the Admiral Benbow. Oh, I cried, stop him! It s Black Dog! I don t care two coopers who he is, cried Silver. But he hasn t paid his score. Harry, run and catch him. If he were Admiral Hawke he shall pay his score, cried Silver (p 54). It said how Long John Silver is manipulating the conversation. He wants to protect his man from Jim Hawkins s curiosity. Long John Silver, beside the owner of the Spyglass public house, he is also the leader of Black Dog. It is obvious that Long John Silver is able to manipulate the conversation. During the conversation between Long John Silver and Jim Hawkins, suddenly Jim is

38 26 alarmed by the figure of another seaman on the other side. Jim Hawkins realizes that he is a bad pirate that wants to kill Jim s friend, Billy Bones, at his father s inn. When Jim Hawkins asks to stop him, Long John Silver tries to cover and safe the seaman, Black dog, because he is one of his men by saying, I don t care two coppers who he is but he hasn t paid his score. If he were Admiral Hawke he shall pay his score. Then to make sure that he, Long John Silver, knows nothing about the man named Black Dog, he asks Morgan, his man at the Spyglass, to explain and make it clear that Long John Silver really knows nothing about that man. Now, Morgan, said Long John, very sternly; You never clapped your eyes on that Black-Black Dog before, did you, now? No I, sir, said Morgan, with a salute. You didn t know his name, did you? No, sir. By the power, Tom Morgan, it s as good for you! exclaimed the landlord. If you had been mixed up with the like of that, you would never have put another foot in my house, you may lay to that. And what was he saying to you? I don t rightly know, sir, answer Morgan. Do you call that a head on your shoulders or a blessed dead-eye? cried Long John. Don t rightly know, don t you! Perhaps you don t happen to rightly know who you was speaking to, perhaps? Come, now, what was he jawing-v yages, cap ns, ships? Pipe up! What was it? We was a-talkin of kneel-hauling, answer Morgan. Kneel-hauling, was you? And a mighty suitable thing, too and you may lay to that. Get back to your place for a lubber, Tom (p 55). By asking to Morgan of what Jim Hawkins curios about, Long John Silver strictly state that he does not only know nothing about seaman named Black Dog, however he also tries to convince Jim Hawkins that he really does not know about the man Jim Hawkins has worried about. It shows that he manipulates the conversation to deceive Jim Hawkins to cover his true motive.

39 27 To cover his true motive on that cruise, Long John Silver tries to act as a good seaman to throw away the possibilities that can make the others curious of him. Besides, Long John Silver also makes himself as if there is no distance between him and Jim Hawkins by saying. Why, what a precious old sea-calf I am! he said at last, wiping his cheeks. You and me should get on well, Hawkins, for I ll take my davy I should be rated ship s boy. But, come, now, stand by to go about. I ll put on my old cocked hat, and step along of you to Cap n Trelawney, and report this here affair. For, mind you, it s serious, young Hawkins (p 57). What Silver has done toward Jim is to make Jim feels that he is really close to him and to get Jim Hawkins s trust. I began to see that here was one of the best of possible shipmates (p 58). And Long John Silver deed toward Jim Hawkins is able to take attention to Dr. Levesey. Well, squire, said Dr. Levesey, I don t put much faith in your discoveries, as a general thing; but I will say this, John Silver suits me (p 58). This also come when Captain Smollett, as a captain of Hispaniola hired by Trelawney, says that there is something wrong with the crews he manages and asks him to take certain precautions of them. Then Dr. Livesey says to Trelawney that besides Captain, there is another man he can rely on, Long John Silver. Trelawney, said the doctor, Contrary to all my notions, I believe you have managed to get two honest men on board with you-that man and John Silver (p 63). It said that what Long John Silver has done has attracted Dr. Livesey s attention. Dr. Livesey feels that Long John Silver is a good man which he can rely on along the cruise in searching for the treasure.